Wyoming Gun Laws

“The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the state shall not be denied.”

Gun Laws Overview

RIFLES & SHOTGUNS

HANDGUNS

Permit to Purchase

No

No

Registration of Firearms

No

No

Licensing of Owners

No

No

Permit to Carry

No

No*

*A Wyoming resident permit can be obtained for the purposes of carrying concealed while in other states that offer recognition or reciprocity.

The list and map below are included as a tool to assist you in validating your information. We have made every effort to report the information correctly, however reciprocity and recognition agreements are subject to frequent change. The information is not intended as legal advice or a restatement of law and does not include: restrictions that may be placed on non-resident permits, individuals under the age of 21, qualifying permit classes, and/or any other factor which may limit reciprocity and/or recognition. For any particular situation, a licensed local attorney must be consulted for an accurate interpretation. YOU MUST ABIDE WITH ALL LAWS: STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL.

These States recognize Wyoming's permit

Permit-Issuing State

Recognizing States

Non-Recognizing States

Wyoming recognizes these State's permits

Current State

Permits Wyoming Recognizes

Permits Wyoming Does Not Recognize

Laws on Purchase, Possession and Carrying of Firearms

Purchase

No state permit is required to purchase a rifle, shotgun or handgun. A person in lawful possession of a concealed firearm permit issued by this state shall be exempt from a NICS check when purchasing a firearm.

The information required by federal law to be maintained on firearms shall be kept by every wholesaler, retailer, pawnbroker and dealer in firearms in the place of business of the wholesaler, retailer, pawnbroker or dealer, and shall be subject to inspection by any peace officer at all reasonable times.

Any person 21 years of age or older, who is not prohibited possessor, may carry a weapon openly or concealed without the need for a license.

All non-residents must possess a permit or license issued by a state that Wyoming honors and that is a "valid statewide permit" to carry in Wyoming. Wyoming does not issue non-resident permits. A Wyoming resident may also apply for a concealed carry permit issued by this state in order to be able to carry concealed in those states requiring a permit.

The attorney general is authorized to issue permits to carry a concealed firearm to persons qualified by this section. Applications for a concealed carry permit shall be made available and distributed by the division of criminal investigation and local law enforcement agencies. The permit shall be valid statewide for a period of 5 years from the date of issuance. When a permittee is carrying a concealed firearm they shall have valid identification along with the carry permit to display upon request of a peace officer.

A permit shall be issued to anyone who:

Is a resident of the United States and has been a resident of Wyoming for at least the prior 6 months (to filing the application);

Is at least 21 years old;

Does not suffer from a physical infirmity which prevents the safe handling of a firearm;

Is not ineligible to possess a firearm pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 922(g) or W.S. 6-8-102;

Does not chronically or habitually use alcoholic liquor and malt beverages to the extent that his normal faculties are impaired. It shall be presumed that the applicant chronically or habitually uses alcoholic beverages to the extent that his normal faculties are impaired if the applicant has been involuntarily committed, within (1) year period prior to the date on which application for a permit under this section is submitted, to any residential facility pursuant to the laws of this state or similar laws of any other state as a result of the use of alcohol;

Is not currently adjudicated to be legally incompetent; and has not been committed to a mental institution.

An applicant is ineligible if they have been:

Committed to a state or federal facility for the abuse of a controlled substance, within (1) year period prior to the date on which application for a permit under this section is submitted;

Convicted of a felony violation of the Wyoming Controlled Substances Act of 1971, W.S. 35-7-1001 through 35-7-1057 or similar laws of any other state or the United States relating to controlled substances and has not been pardoned; or

Convicted of a misdemeanor violation of Wyoming Controlled Substance Act of 1971, W.S. 35-7-1001 through 35-7-1057 or similar laws of any state or the United States relating to controlled substances within (1) year period prior to the date of application for a permit under this section is submitted.

The applicant must demonstrate familiarity with a firearm. A legible photocopy of a certificate of completion of any of the courses or classes or a notarized affidavit from the instructor, school, club, organization, or group that conducted or taught the course or class attesting the completion of the course or class by the applicant or a copy of any document which shows completion of the course or class or evidences participation of a firearms competition, shall constitute evidence of qualification under this paragraph. Any (1) of the following activities listed in shall be sufficient to demonstrate familiarity with a firearm:

Completion of any certified firearm safety or training course utilizing instructors certified by the National Rifle Association or the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy;

Completion of any law enforcement firearms safety or training course or class offered for security guards, investigators, special deputies, or any division of law enforcement or security enforcement;

Experience with a firearm through participation in an organized handgun shooting competition or military service;

Completion of any firearms training or safety course or class conducted by a state certified or National Firearms Association certified instructor;

Be certified as proficient in firearms by any Wyoming law enforcement agency under procedures established by that agency; or

Honorable retirement as a federal or state peace officer who has a minimum of 10 years of service.

The division may deny or revoke a permit if the applicant has been found guilty of or has pled nolo contendere to one (1) or more crimes of violence constituting a misdemeanor offense within the three (3) year period prior to the date on which the application is submitted.

An applicant shall submit to the division through the sheriff’s office in the county of the applicant’s residence:

A completed application;

A nonrefundable permit fee of fifty dollars($50.00) for new or renewal permits;

A full set of finger prints of the applicant administered by a law enforcement agency, the cost of this shall be borne by the applicant;

A photocopy of a certificate or affidavit or document that provides verification of competency of firearms as described above.

The sheriff of the applicant’s residence shall submit a written report to the division containing any information that he feels may be pertinent to the issuance of a permit to any applicant. The written report shall state facts known to the sheriff which establish reasonable grounds to believe that the applicant has been or is reasonably likely to be a danger to himself or others, or to the community at large as a result of the applicant’s mental or psychological state, as demonstrated by a past pattern or practice of behavior, or participation in incidents involving a controlled substance, alcohol abuse, violence or threats of violence as these incidents relate to criteria listed in this section. The written report shall be made within 30 days after the date the sheriff receives the copy of the application.

The sheriff of the applicant’s county of residence may, at his discretion, submit a written report to the division recommending immediate issuance of a concealed firearms permit prior to the mandatory fingerprint processing. The written recommendation shall specifically state that the sheriff has personal knowledge that the applicant is qualified to be issued a permit.

The sheriff of the applicant’s county of residence may, at his discretion, submit a written report to the division recommending the issuance of a concealed firearm permit to an applicant between the ages eighteen (18) and twenty-one (21) years of age who meets the requirements specified in this section. The written recommendation shall specifically state that the sheriff has personal knowledge of the applicant’s situation or circumstances which warrant the issuance of a concealed firearms permit.

The division shall within sixty (60) days of receiving all application items:

Issue the permit; or

Deny the application based on the grounds that the applicant fails to qualify under the previously stated criteria. The division shall notify the applicant in writing, stating the grounds for denial and informing the applicant of their right to submit, within thirty (30) days, any additional information relating to the grounds for denial. After receiving such documentation the division shall then reconsider their decision and inform the applicant of the reconsidered decision within twenty (20) days. The applicant shall further be informed of the right to seek review of the denial in the district court pursuant to Wyoming Administration procedure Act, W.S. 16-3-101 through 16-3-115. No person denied a permit under this section shall carry a concealed firearm under a permit issued in another state, so long as he remains a resident of this state, and remains ineligible for a permit in this state.

The division shall maintain an automatic listing of permit holders and pertinent information, and the information shall be available on-line, upon request, and at all times to Wyoming law enforcement agencies.

Within thirty (30) days after changing your permanent address, or within thirty (30) days after a lost or destruction of a permit, any permittee shall notify the division. Violation of this section may result in cancellation of the permit.

A permit issued under this section shall be revoked by the division:

If the permittee becomes ineligible to be issued a permit under the criteria set forth in this section; or

For any conviction of any offense involving a controlled substance, alcohol abuse while carrying a concealed weapon or any crime of violence or a plea of nolo contendere to any of these crimes.

The permittee may renew his permit on or before the expiration date by filing with the sheriff of the applicant’s county of residence the renewal form, a notarized affidavit stating that the permittee remains qualified pursuant to the criteria specified in previous sections and the required renewal fee.

No person authorized to carry a concealed weapon pursuant to the previous sections shall carry a concealed weapon into:

Any facility primarily used for law enforcement operations or administration without the written consent of the chief administrator;

Any detention facility, prison or jail;

Any court room, except that nothing in this section shall preclude a judge from carrying a concealed weapon or determining who will carry a concealed weapon in the courtroom;

Any meeting of a governmental entity;

Any meeting of the legislature or a committee thereof;

Any school, college, or professional athletic event not related to firearms;

Any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic liquor and malt beverages for consumption on the premises, which portion of the establishment is primarily devoted to that purpose;

Any place where persons are assembled for public worship, without the written consent of the chief administrator of that place;

Any elementary or secondary school facility;

Any college or university facility without the written consent of the security service of the college or university; or

Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal or state law.

All monies collected pursuant to this purpose shall be deposited in the general fund.

All funds received by the sheriff pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the general fund.

Wyoming statutes are silent on antique and replica firearms. Firearms that expel any projectile by the action of an explosive are treated as ordinary firearms for possession and carrying purposes.

Machine Guns

Wyoming law does not prohibit the lawful possession of machine guns. Thus, it is lawful to possess, purchase, or sell a machine gun that is legally registered and possessed in compliance with all federal laws and regulations.

The sale, transfer, purchase, delivery, taxation, manufacture, ownership, transportation, storage, use and possession of firearms, weapons and ammunition shall be authorized, regulated and prohibited by the state, and regulation thereof is preempted by the state.

6-8-401. Firearm, weapon and ammunition regulation and prohibition by state

(a) The Wyoming legislature finds that the right to keep and bear arms is a fundamental right. The Wyoming legislature affirms this right as a constitutionally protected right in every part of Wyoming.

(b) Repealed by Laws 2010, ch. 108, § 3, eff. March 11, 2010.

(c) The sale, transfer, purchase, delivery, taxation, manufacture, ownership, transportation, storage, use and possession of firearms, weapons and ammunition shall be authorized, regulated and prohibited by the state, and regulation thereof is preempted by the state. Except as authorized by W.S. 15-1-103(a)(xviii), no city, town, county, political subdivision or any other entity shall authorize, regulate or prohibit the sale, transfer, purchase, delivery, taxation, manufacture, ownership, transportation, storage, use, carrying or possession of firearms, weapons, accessories, components or ammunition except as specifically provided by this chapter. This section shall not affect zoning or other ordinances which encompass firearms businesses along with other businesses. Zoning and other ordinances which are designed for the purpose of restricting or prohibiting the sale, purchase, transfer or manufacture of firearms or ammunition as a method of regulating firearms or ammunition are in conflict with this section and are prohibited.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person who operates or uses a sport shooting range in this state shall not be subject to civil liability or criminal prosecution in any matter relating to noise or noise pollution resulting from the operation or use of the range if the range is in compliance with any noise control laws or ordinances that applied to the range and its operation at the time construction or operation of the range was approved by a local government.

(b) Any person who operates or uses a sport shooting range is not subject to an action for nuisance, and a court of this state shall not enjoin the use or operation of a range on the basis of noise or noise pollution, if the range is in compliance with any noise control laws or ordinances that applied to the range and its operation at the time construction or operation of the range was approved by a local government.

(c) Rules or regulations adopted by any state department or agency for limiting levels of noise in terms of decibel level which may occur in the outdoor atmosphere shall not apply to a sport shooting range exempted from liability under this act

An archery hunter may possess a firearm for the purpose of self-defense during special archery or limited quota archery only hunting season. However, firearms may not be used to take game during an archery only season.

It is unlawful to: hunt, shoot, or attempt to kill any wildlife from any public road or highway; enter upon the private property of any person to hunt, fish, or trap without the permission of the owner or person in charge of the property; fire any firearm from, upon, along, or across any public road or highway; knowingly fire any rifle from the enclosed lands of one person onto or across the enclosed lands of another without the permission of both persons; and hunt at night upon privately owned or leased lands except with written permission of the landowner or lessee.

It is unlawful to harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, or kill any Wyoming wildlife except predatory animals with, from, or by use of any flying machine, automotive vehicle, trailer, motor-propelled wheeled vehicle, or vehicle designed for travel over snow. The state Fish and Game Commission may exempt handicapped hunters from this provision.

No city, town, or county shall authorize, regulate or prohibit the sale, transfer, purchase, delivery, taxation, manufacture, ownership, transportation, storage, use or possession of firearms, weapons and ammunition.

The Attorney General may seek to intervene in any lawsuit filed in any state or federal court in Wyoming, or filed against any Wyoming citizen or firm in any other jurisdiction for damages for injuries as a result of the use of firearms that are not defective, if in his judgment, the action endangers the constitutional right of the citizens of Wyoming to keep and bear arms. Before intervening in any lawsuit pursuant to this section, the Attorney General shall obtain the approval of the Governor.

A icense and carry permit must be presented upon request of a peace officer.

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.